It wouldn’t be a far-fetched statement to say that the battle royale genre owes much of its success to PUBG. Krafton and PUBG Studios’ battle royale set the gaming world on fire when it came out and quickly became the biggest phenomenon in the industry. Its reign hasn’t lasted forever though.
Although Fortnite claimed the genre’s crown long ago, its removal from Apple’s App Store in many regions could be an opportunity for PUBG to reclaim its standing. By expanding into new projects and making the original games better, PUBG Studios is setting the stage for a return to the spotlight.
PUBG Studios is Poised For a Shot At Reclaiming The Crown
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Krafton is bringing back the original Erangel map in PUBG.
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The Erangel Classic map will have features of the first-ever battleground map.
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PUBG is among the most popular battle royale games globally.
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Since its debut in 2017, PUBG changed the gaming industry and brought the battle royale genre to the spotlight. But as Fortnite swept in with its celebrity collaborations, dynamic updates, and casual-friendly aesthetic, the spotlight began to dim.
Fortnite out here killing PUBG!
Just goes to show how powerful the weekly update F2P model is. pic.twitter.com/5xV3Watbv8
— Vikkstar123 ★ (@Vikkstar123) July 11, 2018
Despite losing its top position, PUBG has kept a steady player base. The game still holds steady on platforms like Steam. Today, it has around 500,000 daily players, a strong showing for a game in its seventh year, and even more if console players are factored in.
But Krafton and the studio aren’t just riding on nostalgia. The studio has demonstrated a keen understanding of the current gaming market by venturing into mobile, a decision that has proved to be widely successful.
Every day, 50 Million people drop into Erangel, Miramar, Sanhok, or Vikendi in PUBG MOBILE. Thank you all for making us one of the most popular games in the world! pic.twitter.com/cYPRB7FQGd
— PUBG MOBILE (@PUBGMOBILE) June 13, 2019
PUBG Mobile has grown beyond the original game’s popularity, pulling in over $8 billion in revenue and collaborating with franchises like The Walking Dead and Godzilla. Fortnite’s absence from the Apple App Store also helped PUBG Mobile establish itself in the iOS side.
It Might Not Beat Fortnite in a 1v1 But The Studio is Cooking
The studio is also diversifying its portfolio beyond battle royale, hinting at ambitious plans that could extend its influence even further. The studio recently announced it would bring Palworld, one of 2024’s biggest hits to mobile platforms, with PUBG Studios at the helm of the port.
Check out our first-ever reveal of Project ARC!
Keep us on the radar if you’d like to experience a realistic, skill-based, and thrilling gunfights like never before in a top-down shooter.Wishlist on Steam for more updates! https://t.co/ZCHMD00oop#KRAFTON #PUBG pic.twitter.com/idL1jthnlE
— Project ARC (@PUBGARCteam) October 29, 2024
To further reclaim its audience, PUBG Studios recently revealed Project ARC, a top-down 5v5 shooter with unique real-time mechanics. Though it remains to be seen if Project ARC will find success, it’s definitely a big step. The game doesn’t even have a release date yet though.
Meanwhile, Fortnite’s own return to the App Store isn’t without challenges. In 2020, Epic Games bypassed Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases, leading to the game’s removal and a lengthy legal battle. But the mobile relaunch isn’t without challenges.
Despite its age, PUBG remains a staple in the battle royale genre, and its current developments suggest it’s far from relinquishing its relevance. PUBG Studios seems determined to restore its standing in the gaming community, not only as the originator of the battle royale genre but also as a contender capable of evolving with the times.
What do you think of PUBG‘s viability in the coming future? Let us know in the comments!
